Alabama and Texas advance to men’s NCAA finals at storied Riviera

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. -- Alabama and Texas won their semifinals matches of the men’s NCAA Divisoin I golf championship Saturday at Riviera Country Club and will meet Sunday with the title on the line.

Alabama's match against California went down to the final group and the 18th hole. Hunter Hamrick was 1 up going into the final hole and made a par to defeat Joel Stalter.

MEN'S FINALS

"We've played with them the first two days and played with them during the season and knew they were a good golf team," Alabama Coach Jay Seawell said. "They don't have any holes and have five good players. I knew we would have a battle from the first tee to the 18th green and that's exactly what we had."

California had numerous chances to even the match, but missed on several opportunities.

"We had at least four putts to get us to even and they just didn't fall," said Cal Coach Steve Desimone. "That's the way this game is sometimes."

Texas had a 2-1 advantage over Oregon and won the match when Julio Vegas, brother of PGA Tour player, Jhonattan Vegas, drained a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to defeat Andrew Vijarro 2 up.

"I came to the hole wanting to make a birdie," Vegas said. "I focused hard on it and did it."

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